– At the par-4 17th, Woods powered a 300-yard 3-wood tee shot into the middle of the fairway, and essentially closed the deal with a 9-iron to 2 feet for birdie.

“Some guys say, 'I've done it before,' but they've never done it before on Sunday in a tournament,” Woods said. “Well, I've done it on Sunday in a major championship, so I know I can pull these shots off, and I just keep reminding myself of these things.”

Nobody else needs reminding.

“I can see where this guy's confidence has grown so massive. To be in that situation so many times, I just can't imagine exactly what he feels like on the inside,” Howell said. “I'm telling you, on Sunday with Tiger Woods is as good as it gets.”

Relaxing in a chair after his packed news conference, Woods was asked if he ever felt sympathy for those men he beats, especially a friend such as Howell. “No,” he said flatly, without changing expression. Not even a little bit?